Yogurt Pouches for Adults: A Growing Trend in Convenient, Health-Focused Snacking
Fr om Nestlé to Arla Foods, yogurt pouches – both refrigerated and shelf-stable – have started to appear in supermarket aisles in recent years as manufacturers respond to consumer demand for on-the-go snacks that balance healthfulness with taste and convenience.
In the US, Chobani is marketing a high-protein, lactose-free, no-added-sugar range of Greek yogurt pouches; and Nestlé-owned Outshine expanded its shelf-stable Fruit & Yogurt Smoothie Pouches for kids and adults this summer following the range’s 2022 release.
Over in Europe, Arla Foods released a line of high-protein yogurt pouches under its Arla Protein brand in 2017, while UK premium yogurt brand The Collective entered the fray this month with 7 flavors of pouched yogurt for grown-ups.
The format, already popular in markets like Australia and the Netherlands, is making its way into the UK and US, wh ere brands like The Collective and Outshine are expanding their offerings. With adults increasingly seeking guilt-free snacks, yogurt pouches are positioned to grow in popularity.
According to The Collective’s marketing director Tor Hunt-Taylor, pouches could add value to the entire adult yogurt category in the UK. “We predict the pouch format will add value to the adult yogurt category as consumers will purchase alongside their current products of choice, which include Greek style/natural or fruited big pot options,” he said. “Additionally, the range has been designed to consume on separate occasions to our existing adult range, either out-of-home or on-the-go. Importantly, the pouch format removes historical barriers to consuming yogurt like the need to carry a spoon.”
Amy Punchard, brand manager for Arla Protein, said: “Our protein pouches have been a great success and form an important part of our portfolio, currently worth over £14m RSV and growing at +30.4% value in the last 52 weeks. For comparison, our five 200g yogurt pot flavors are worth £32m and growing by 28.3% value in the last 52 weeks, and our milkshakes range is worth £6.5m RSV, growing at 284% value in the last 52 weeks [data from Nielsen, L52w w/e 13/07/2024]. Arla Protein pouches are HFSS compliant, low in fat and have 20g protein per pouch, meaning adults can grab a healthy, satiating, mess-free snack to enjoy anywhere, anytime.”
Back in the UK, The Collective’s seven new flavors feature different claims on-pack, from live cultures and ‘real fruit’ to immune support and high in vitamins. "All 'need states’ or propositions were based on consumer insight and macro trends we see in other areas of food and drink, both in the UK and internationally. Our role as ‘the dairy shaker uppers’ is to bring these to dairy and yogurt,” product director Holly Pink said.
According to market experts, the key to driving demand will be highlighting nutritional benefits such as high-protein content and low fat, as well as ensuring that the product is marketed as a versatile and easy-to-consume snack. As companies continue to innovate, yogurt pouches for adults are set to become a prominent player in the healthy snacking category.
